Pinterest, NOT Just for Wedding Planning!

Pinterest: many of us have heard of it, some of us are addicted to it, but few of us use it professionally.

What Is It?

Pinterest is a social networking site that was launched in 2010 and has been gaining popularity and users since day one. For those who don’t know, it is an image-based website where users can follow, “pin,” and add to the ever-growing collections in more than 33 different categories. Odds are that one or more of those categories fit your business.

How It Works

You can sign up for an account with your Facebook registration, or you can use any email address. From here you will want to start browsing by clicking on the Categories button at the top to choose one that interests you, or use the search option in the top left to look for specific items. Once you find something that you would like to share or come back to for easy access, you just “pin” it. To pin, hover over the image until you see an option to “repin.” Once you click it you will have the option to change the caption of the photo and either create your own board to pin to or choose a board you previously created. You can also “like” and comment on pins. To create a new pin, click on the “Add+” in the top right of the page.

Pinterest and Email

That’s all fine and dandy, but what do a bunch of images on some electronic “boards” have to do with email marketing? More than you think! You can use Pinterest as a part of your social media strategy, connecting it to email, Facebook, etc. For example, a company like Elmer’s Glue is using Pinterest to share craft ideas, promote its products, and bring people back to its website.

When you send emails with images embedded you have already accomplished half of what people need in order to “pin” your photos. For example, let’s say you own a gym and want to promote your training services. Snap a few photos of your trainers in your gym, or use your patrons as models for the end result. Doctor the photos up a bit with your logo or an inspiring quote, or leave them as is. Add the pin to your current account, and be sure to link with the categories that apply. For this example you would link to Health & Fitness, Sports, and possibly Quotes. Now start following people! This part is very much like Twitter, and you can follow other businesses too and they can choose to follow one of your boards or all of your boards.

Use It Professionally

Pinterest is a community of images. Be sure that your images portray your message, products, or brand in the best way possible. Post new pins often, and get creative with your content. Don’t be afraid to name your boards with fun ideas and interesting words. Another way to ensure exposure on Pinterest is to use hash tags and the categories within the website. This way your pins have the opportunity to be viewed in more ways than just from your boards. The more pins that you can link back to your website in your boards, the more opportunities you have to drive traffic there each time one of your pins is repinned or liked!

5 Responses to “Pinterest, NOT Just for Wedding Planning!”

Thank you for this information, I just started a pintrist account, I am enjoying it even though I don’t fully get it. Your article was illuminating, however I would like to know more about how I link to categories that apply to my business. I want to do that for my health spa.
Once again thank you.
LZ

I have been looking all over Pinterest, and this used to be a little more complicated. What I have found is that as long as the board you are pinning to is associated with one of the categories within Pinterest, your post will show up there.

I recently read your blog and am very impressed at how informed you are and your attention to detail. I was also impressed that you brought some individuality to your blog instead of the same old robotic writing I see from everyone else. We would love to have you write us a WebWatcher article sometime.